Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: MOTM

Hello List!

Please excuse the length and elementary nature of this posting, but I have a good number of questions about wire/cable and MIDI. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently designing a couple of very simple, passive modules for my system. The first is a panel filled with 1/4" input and output jacks separated by momentary switches for use in "on-demand" modulation, etc. The second project is a custom "break-out" panel that will bring the outputs from my Kenton Pro-2000 around to the front as 1/4" jacks for ease of use with my MOTM system. My system is also large enough for me to start thinking about fabricating a bunch of patch cords.

In all of these projects, I will be using Switchcraft jacks and plugs exclusively because of their high quality and reliability and I want my wiring and cabling to be of the same high standards. A recent examination of the current Mouser catalog, however, yielded a bewildering array of wire and cable choices! Many different brands are available, each with different types of conductors, shields, insulators, and jackets.

My first question is this: What specific Brand and Model Number of cable would you recommend for fabricating HIGH QUALITY patch cords? I have had people tell me to use Belden cable exclusively because it's the industry standard. Others have told me that they have had excellent results with DGS/Gotham products, while still others have said that "cords is cords" and not to worry about it (This doesn't sound right at all) . What are you other MOTM builders doing about patch cords? Are you buying them already built-up or are you making your own like me? If you are "rolling your own", what cabling are you using?

My second set of questions deals with MIDI cabling/wiring. On the Pro-2000 break-out panel, I will be bringing the 4 MIDI jacks around to the front along with the 1/4" outputs. What specific Make and Model Number of cable would you use for this purpose? I am pretty much of a MIDI neophyte and this is all confusing to me.

The 5-pin DIN jacks that I recently purchased actually have 6 solder connections on the back. 5 of the connectors are arranged in a 180-degree half-circle (from 9:00 to 3:00), while the 6th connector is at the bottom (at 6:00). I have read that the standard 5-pin MIDI connection has 4 data transmission pins and 1 ground; if this is true, what is the 6th pin for? How many conductors would I need in my MIDI cables?

As a related question, I have seen many books on MIDI by Craig Anderton, Robert Penfold, and others; what specific titles and authors would you recommend for a MIDI newby like myself that would help me to better understand MIDI specs and usage?

These questions will undoubtedly seem awfully rudimentary to some of you folks, so I again ask that you please excuse my excessive use of your time and expertise! If some of you "old-timers" could give me specific cable recommendations (ie- "Use Gotham DGS-1 for your patch cords" or "Use Belden Type 9418 for your MIDI cabling"), I would be much-obliged!

Thanks!

Chris Parker
Busted Flat in Baton Rouge